Milsurp After Hours

My only other #1 is a 1949 vintage Ishapore so I don't know a great deal about them.

This one arrived today and I am very happy with it. Over all the rifle is in great shape and just needs a bit of cleaning.

The bore is very nice with sharp grooves at the crown.

Every number I can find on it matches with the exception of the butt which appears to be a beech replacement.

The only downer is the Ishy screw that was probably put in when the butt was

replaced and the 2 big ugly screws that are holding the brass butt plate on.

For a grand total of $136 shipped I couldn't be happier.

There is no date on the butt socket, is this normal? It appears to have been restamped at some point.

http://pic40.picturetrail.com/VOL368/95 ... 358325.jpg[/pic]

http://pic40.picturetrail.com/VOL368/95 ... 358334.jpg[/pic]

All sorts of interesting markings here.

http://pic40.picturetrail.com/VOL368/95 ... 358333.jpg[/pic]

The forestock appears to have had another number on it.

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Even the magazine matches.

http://pic40.picturetrail.com/VOL368/95 ... 358328.jpg[/pic]

The magazine is very well finished compared to the one on my Ishaopre.

http://pic40.picturetrail.com/VOL368/95 ... 358326.jpg[/pic]

http://pic40.picturetrail.com/VOL368/95 ... 358336.jpg[/pic]

Some sort of rack number or something.

http://pic40.picturetrail.com/VOL368/95 ... 358332.jpg[/pic]

With that first picture I was thinking Kyber Pass special but the others are more reassuring.

The Sht LE is definitely a restamp. The missing date is unusual. When rifles were converted to .22 trainers (No2 Mk IV) the factory and date were generally left. When models were upgraded (MkI to MkI***) all the markings were left intact and the asterix added. When rifles were converted (MLM MkI to SMLE MkI ConD) the old markings were left and new ones added on the left side. I can't think of any upgrade/coversion where they scrubbed the original date.

I don't know if it is common for rifles that have been through India to have the date and model information scrubbed and not the factory information and Royal Cypher - I was under the impression they scrubbed it all. With the screw through the forend it looks like it has been to India.

With the receiver having the cutoff I'd say its probably pre 1917, at least pre 1928 if the barrel is anything to go by. Proof marks seem appropriate.

Could the butt be a No4 ? If it looks like beech and has a brass buttplate it sounds like it could be.

Does the font on the bolt match the receiver or the barrel ?

All up for $136 I'd say you've done very well.

Interestingly I'm currently negotiating for an Enfield made 1915 MkIII (not complete) and it won't be anywhere near what you paid, probably double it.

I know this will sound silly, but it doesn't look right for a British stamp. They always look like they were done using one die, or at least all manage to be level. The barrelling was done in 1928, but the action looks like it went through a conversion to MkIII* standard after WW1, as the slab sided cocking piece and lack of cutoff aren't right for a MkIII. It actually reminds me of a BSA contract one I saw that was done in the 1920's, but they just had BSA and the year, not the full cipher. It looks like a full restock, as I can't see anything to indicate the long range dial sight, and which would also explain why you have the Ishy screw. Either way, it looks like it should be a good shooter

Nick

The serial number stamp on the bolt is the same as the one on the receiver ring both of which are the same style but slightly larger than the one on the barrel.

This thing has more little marks on it than any other rifle I have. Literally every part has some sort of stamp on it.

The hole for the cross bolt in the nose piece seems to be stripped.

The more I clean the bore the better it looks. I think it went through a major rebuild in India.